Climate comedy works − here’s why, and how it can help lighten up a politically heavy year in 2024

Jokes can be a healing contagion as they expose hypocrisy, spark laughter and open minds.

Beth Osnes, Professor of Theatre and Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 29, 2024 ~7 min

Candidates’ aging brains are factors in the presidential race − 4 essential reads

Both men have faced criticism about what can appear to be obvious signs of aging, including questions about their memory and cognitive abilities.

Jeff Inglis, Politics + Society Editor, The Conversation US • conversation
Feb. 16, 2024 ~5 min


Disinformation threatens global elections – here’s how to fight back

Scientists estimate that for every 100,000 people targeted with specific political ads, several thousand can be persuaded.

Stephan Lewandowsky, Chair of Cognitive Psychology, University of Bristol • conversation
Feb. 15, 2024 ~9 min

FCC bans robocalls using deepfake voice clones − but AI-generated disinformation still looms over elections

Deepfake technology is widely available, and a pivotal election year lies ahead. The FCC banned AI robocalls, but AI-enhanced disinformation campaigns remain a threat.

Joan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies, Boston University • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 ~6 min

Labour’s £28 billion green investment promise could be watered down – here’s why

Keir Starmer’s flagship climate change pledge has already been cut back significantly since 2021.

Marc Hudson, Visiting Fellow, Science Policy, University of Sussex • conversation
Feb. 2, 2024 ~7 min

Fake Biden robocall to New Hampshire voters highlights how easy it is to make deepfakes − and how hard it is to defend against AI-generated disinformation

Deepfake technology is widely available, and a pivotal election year lies ahead. The fake Biden robocall is likely to be just the latest of a series of AI-enhanced disinformation campaigns.

Joan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies, Boston University • conversation
Jan. 23, 2024 ~7 min

What isolated presidents can teach us

How do isolated presidents govern? In the future, will presidents and policymakers face more opposition? A new book offers some answers.

Jack Harrison - Michigan State • futurity
Jan. 18, 2024 ~8 min

Maine voters don't like their electric utilities, but they balked at paying billions to buy them out

Power companies can be publicly or privately owned and may report to corporate boards, local governments or co-op members. But there’s no one best way to deliver electricity reliably and affordably.

Theodore J. Kury, Director of Energy Studies, University of Florida • conversation
Nov. 9, 2023 ~10 min


AI disinformation is a threat to elections − learning to spot Russian, Chinese and Iranian meddling in other countries can help the US prepare for 2024

ChatGPT and its ilk give propagandists and intelligence agents a powerful new tool for interfering in politics. The clock is ticking on learning to spot this disinformation before the 2024 election.

Bruce Schneier, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School • conversation
Sept. 29, 2023 ~9 min

Negativity bias boosted voter fraud conspiracy theories online

"...the spread of voter fraud messages on Twitter was driven by a bias for tweets with more negative emotion..."

Gregory Filiano-Stony Brook • futurity
Sept. 25, 2023 ~4 min

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